Data compiled by the ONS shows employment in Scotland up by 76,000 on a year ago though unemployment rose by 13,000 quarter on quarter in the three months to May

Scotland's employment rate has reached record levels, according to latest official statistics, while the unemployment rate has now risen above the UK average.

Latest data from the Office for National Statistics suggests the employment rate in Scotland rose for the seventeenth consecutive month, with the employment total at the end the three months covering March to May reported to be 2,587,000.

The ONS figures suggest Scotland's employment rate has increased by 76,000 on the same period a year ago.

However, the ONS figures also suggests the rate of unemployment – including those out of work and not eligible for benefits - rose by 13,000 in the three months to May on the previous quarter to 192,000.

As a result, Scotland's unemployment rate has risen to 6.9 per cent, above the UK average average of 6.5 per cent.

The number of Scots out of work and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell by 4,000 in June on the previous month to total 96,000.

The ONS figures suggest the number claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Scotland is down by 35,500 on a year ago, with the claimant count now at its lowest level since December 2008.

The rate of employment is Scotland remains ahead of the UK average at 73.3 per cent compared with 73.1 per cent recorded for the UK.

The proportion of women in work is also higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK, having risen to a “record” 1,249,000 in employment.

ONS figures suggest the female employment rate in Scotland is 69.7 per cent compared to 68.1 per cent for the UK as a whole.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said the statistics show employment has "reached a new record in Scotland".

He said: “As the economy recovers more people are moving from inactivity into the labour market to look for employment.

“With this boost to economic activity, it is not surprising that both employment and unemployment have risen over the quarter - albeit unemployment is still down over the year.”

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said: “Today's news reminds us we need to continue creating the right conditions to get people into jobs.

“While it is disappointing to see unemployment rise at any time, the news comes against a backdrop of record overall employment, female employment and record private sector employment.

“The number of economically active people in Scotland is rising and the number of Scots claiming unemployment has now fallen for 20 consecutive months.”